Green shines as four Saffas make Premiership team of the season

Harlequins fullback Tyrone Green, who still harbours ambitions of becoming a Springbok, was the big winner at the English Premiership’s end of season awards on Wednesday night as he took the try of the season award and was one of four South Africans named in the Premiership’s team of the season.

Green, whose hopes may have heightened with the news that Damian Willemse would be out for four months with an injury and will miss the start of the international season, was awarded try of the season for his “superman try”, as it has been dubbed in the English press where he dived in mid air, catching a kick-pass to score in sensational fashion in the corner against Newcastle earlier in the season.

Green was also named as fullback in the Premiership team of the season, along with three other South Africans.

Thomas du Toit was named at loosehead after some excellent performances for Bath as they surged towards the semifinals of the league while the mulleted Benhard Janse van Rensburg and World Cup winner Jasper Wiese are also in the team of the season.

Janse van Rensburg has excelled for Bristol Bears this season and has been a rock in the midfield while Wiese has excelled for Leicester Tigers.

The burly No 8 was sent off in his last game for the Tigers for dropping a player on his head, and has received a six test ban for his actions, but was nevertheless named as the player of the match in the same game.

His impact for Leicester has been immense and despite the ban, he is likely to feature in the Springboks’ plans later on this season.

England flankers Courney Lawes and Ben Earl are also in the team, while Henry Slade and Ollie Sleighholme are in the backline along with Van Rensburg.